Retired or not, Nate Diaz has never stepped away from the spotlight. The former UFC star, known for his raw honesty and unapologetic delivery, continues to speak his mind on the state of combat sports. His latest target is newly crowned UFC middleweight champion and now #4 PFP UFC fighter, Khamzat Chimaev, whose dominant decision win over Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 319 impressed many but left Diaz unimpressed.
Instead of celebrating Chimaev’s takedowns and control, Diaz zeroed in on what he considers the real truth behind Chimaev’s performance.
Picking Apart Chimaev’s Performance
Chimaev scored 12 takedowns and controlled Du Plessis for more than 21 minutes, a stat line most fighters would envy. But Diaz took issue with the way Chimaev operated once he had his opponent grounded.
Speaking on Sneako’s podcast, Diaz recalled a particular moment when Chimaev had side control yet chose to pepper Du Plessis with what he described as “little soft punches” instead of going for fight-ending ground and pound.
That type of fighter is a scared fighter. He’s that afraid that if he lets go to hit him hard, that motherfer might get up and get the f away from him. He comes off as this big, intimidating guy but he’s a big old scared f***ing child.
For Diaz, playing it safe in those moments betrays a lack of fighting spirit. He built his own career on walking forward, taking risks, and living with the consequences, and he believes that is the difference between a true fighter and a cautious competitor.
The Fight That Never Happened
The comments also reopen old wounds. Diaz and Chimaev were supposed to meet at UFC 279 in 2022, but the bout collapsed when Chimaev missed weight by nine pounds. Diaz went on to submit Tony Ferguson in what became his farewell UFC fight, while Chimaev submitted Kevin Holland at middleweight that same night.
That missed opportunity has lingered, and Diaz continues to reflect on how he would have approached Chimaev if they had shared the cage.
How Nate Diaz Would Have Fought Chimaev
Nate Diaz claims he had no intention of trying to avoid the wrestling threat. Instead, he wanted to engage Chimaev on the mat and trust his black belt in Gracie jiu-jitsu.
When I was going to fight him, I had wrestlers like Henry Cejudo telling me not to let him take me down. I wasn’t going to play that game. You’re not going to spend the whole fight defending takedowns. I would have put him in my guard and beat him up from the bottom. If I lose a decision, I lose a decision, but I’m not going to fight scared.
That approach speaks to Diaz’s philosophy of fighting pressure forward, embrace risk, and test an opponent in every position. He insists Chimaev would not have been able to suffocate him the way he did Du Plessis.
Diaz vs. Chimaev: Still a Storyline?
Even though Diaz officially retired from the UFC after UFC 279, his continued commentary on Chimaev suggests the rivalry still has life. With Diaz competing in boxing and remaining a high-profile name, speculation will inevitably follow about whether the two could one day cross paths in a cage or ring.
For now, Chimaev remains undefeated at 15–0 and firmly in the conversation as one of the most dangerous fighters in the UFC. Diaz, however, does not buy into the aura.
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Also read: The Successful Khamzat Chimaev UFC Signing
